US5556287A - Visual indication of fully seated position of bolt-driven connector - Google Patents
Visual indication of fully seated position of bolt-driven connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5556287A US5556287A US08/518,943 US51894395A US5556287A US 5556287 A US5556287 A US 5556287A US 51894395 A US51894395 A US 51894395A US 5556287 A US5556287 A US 5556287A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- color
- connector
- visually distinct
- overhanging lip
- fully seated
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
- H01R13/641—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to connectors, and more particularly to a connector having visual means of indicating whether it is fully seated.
- the invention provides for a contrasting ring encircling the mating surface of one connector, and an overlapping lip having at least one notch encircling the mating surface of the other connector.
- the mating surfaces are adjacent each other, and the overlapping lip overlaps and occludes visibility of the contrasting ring except where the notch lies.
- a fully seated connector can be visually confirmed by noting whether or not the contrasting ring is visible only through the notch.
- One feature of the present invention is that the contrasting ring and overlapping lip are integral with their respective connectors.
- One advantage of the present invention is that neither the contrasting ring nor the overlapping lip require substantial modification of the connectors. These features are able to be added without requiring additional parts or adding to system cost.
- Another advantage is that providing the visual indicator of whether or not the connector is fully seated reduces the risk that the bolt will be overtightened in an effort to ensure the connector is fully seated.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of the female connector, showing the overlapping lip
- FIG. 2 is a top view of the female connector
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the male connector, showing the contrasting ring
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the male connector
- FIG. 5 is a side view showing the two connector halves engaged but not fully seated.
- FIG. 6 is a side view showing the connectors engaged and fully seated.
- the female connector 10 in this embodiment is oval, and has a number of terminal cavities 20. Terminals within these cavities are connected to wires, as may be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art despite not being specifically illustrated in the drawings.
- a bolt hole 30 In the center of the connector 10 is a bolt hole 30.
- the bolt hole 30 is approximately 6 mm in diameter and smooth bored.
- an overhanging lip 40 About the circumference of the connector 10 is an overhanging lip 40. As shown here, the lip 40 has twelve notches 45 formed along the lip.
- the connector 10 also has a key way 48 which helps prevent the male and female connectors from being misaligned when mating.
- the overhanging lip 40 is formed as an extension of the mating face surface 49.
- the male connector 50 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a mounting flange 55 with two bossed mounting holes 57, 58. Like the female connector 10, the male connector 50 is oval and has a number of terminal cavities 60. In the center of the connector is a bolt hole 70. This bolt hole, like the bolt hole 30 in the female connector 10, is approximately 6 mm in diameter. However, here, the bolt hole 70 is threaded rather than smooth bored. The threads in the bolt hole engage the threads of the connector bolt (not shown) to secure the bolt within the hole.
- the connector 50 has a brass bushing press fit into the body of the connector, where the brass bushing has the threads. Using a metal bushing reduces the likelihood that the threads will strip if overtightened.
- the male connector 50 has a key boss 80 which matches the shape of the key way 48 in the female connector.
- a contrasting color ring 90 is about the circumference of the connector 50.
- the connector is formed from black rigid plastic, and the ring 90 is white rigid plastic.
- the two connectors 10, 50 are engaged to complete an electrical connection.
- the male connector 50 has a key boss 80 and the female connector 10 has a key way 48.
- the two connector halves can be mated.
- a bolt 100 is inserted through bolt hole 30 in the female connector 10 and is snugged in the threads of the male connector bolt hole 70.
- the connectors are not fully seated. This condition can be visually confirmed by noting that the contrasting ring 90 is still visible, and has not been overlapped by the overhanging lip 40.
- the terminals in the terminal cavities 20 in the female connector 10 may not be properly engaged by the terminals in the terminal cavities 60 of the male connector 50, resulting in a poor electrical connection. Therefore, the assembly worker engaging the connectors needs to continue snugging the bolt 100 until the connectors are fully seated, as shown in FIG. 6.
- there is visual confirmation that the connectors are properly seated because the contrasting ring 90 is occluded by the overhanging lip 40, and is visible only through the notches 45.
- the notches 45 in the overhanging lip 40 are approximately 2 mm in depth, while the contrasting ring 90 is approximately 1 mm thick. This means that the contrasting ring 90 will be occluded by the overhanging lip 40 when the female and male connectors are within 1 mm of being fully seated. When fully seated, the contrasting ring 90 rests against the mating surface 49 of the overhanging lip 40.
- the terminals in the terminal cavities 20, 60 are deemed to be fully seated as long as the contrasting ring 90 is occluded.
- the connectors 10, 50 need not be fully seated and need only be fully engaged to ensure a proper electrical connection.
Abstract
Description
Claims (6)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/518,943 US5556287A (en) | 1994-05-04 | 1995-08-24 | Visual indication of fully seated position of bolt-driven connector |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US23860394A | 1994-05-04 | 1994-05-04 | |
US08/518,943 US5556287A (en) | 1994-05-04 | 1995-08-24 | Visual indication of fully seated position of bolt-driven connector |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US23860394A Continuation | 1994-05-04 | 1994-05-04 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US5556287A true US5556287A (en) | 1996-09-17 |
Family
ID=22898600
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/518,943 Expired - Fee Related US5556287A (en) | 1994-05-04 | 1995-08-24 | Visual indication of fully seated position of bolt-driven connector |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5556287A (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5795180A (en) * | 1996-12-04 | 1998-08-18 | Amerace Corporation | Elbow seating indicator |
US6168447B1 (en) | 1997-07-30 | 2001-01-02 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Loadbreak connector assembly which prevents switching flashover |
US20020164896A1 (en) * | 1997-07-30 | 2002-11-07 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Loadbreak connector assembly which prevents switching flashover |
KR100395319B1 (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2003-08-21 | 토마스 앤드 베츠 인터내셔널, 인코포레이티드 | Loadbreak Connector Assembly Which Prevents Switching Flashover |
GB2398934A (en) * | 2003-02-25 | 2004-09-01 | Guy James Rollo Symons | Detecting coupling |
US20040192093A1 (en) * | 1997-07-30 | 2004-09-30 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Separable electrical connector assembly |
US20040198088A1 (en) * | 2003-04-07 | 2004-10-07 | Whiter Shieh | Lamp socket device for twinkle light bulb |
US20050159244A1 (en) * | 2004-01-15 | 2005-07-21 | The Boeing Company | Electrical connector insert and apparatus and associated fabrication method |
US20080166913A1 (en) * | 2007-01-08 | 2008-07-10 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | View portal seating indicator |
US20080274635A1 (en) * | 2005-03-10 | 2008-11-06 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Connector for Providing Waterproof Connection and Its Connection State Examining Method |
US20080311779A1 (en) * | 2007-06-14 | 2008-12-18 | Nordson Corporation | High-voltage electrical connector with visual indicator |
US20140034818A1 (en) * | 2012-06-29 | 2014-02-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Reporting connection failure |
US8651892B2 (en) * | 2012-03-14 | 2014-02-18 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Visual mating detector for electrical connector |
US8979590B2 (en) | 2012-07-26 | 2015-03-17 | Thomas & Betts International, Llc | Cable gland for electrical cable fitting |
US9748695B2 (en) | 2014-04-30 | 2017-08-29 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | High voltage connector assembly |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5131865A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1992-07-21 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector apparatus with coupling detecting function |
US5169336A (en) * | 1990-11-09 | 1992-12-08 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector |
-
1995
- 1995-08-24 US US08/518,943 patent/US5556287A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5131865A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1992-07-21 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector apparatus with coupling detecting function |
US5169336A (en) * | 1990-11-09 | 1992-12-08 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector |
Cited By (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5795180A (en) * | 1996-12-04 | 1998-08-18 | Amerace Corporation | Elbow seating indicator |
US7216426B2 (en) | 1997-07-30 | 2007-05-15 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Method for forming a separable electrical connector |
US7524202B2 (en) | 1997-07-30 | 2009-04-28 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Separable electrical connector assembly |
US6585531B1 (en) | 1997-07-30 | 2003-07-01 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Loadbreak connector assembly which prevents switching flashover |
US20040192093A1 (en) * | 1997-07-30 | 2004-09-30 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Separable electrical connector assembly |
US20020164896A1 (en) * | 1997-07-30 | 2002-11-07 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Loadbreak connector assembly which prevents switching flashover |
US7044760B2 (en) | 1997-07-30 | 2006-05-16 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Separable electrical connector assembly |
US6168447B1 (en) | 1997-07-30 | 2001-01-02 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Loadbreak connector assembly which prevents switching flashover |
US6939151B2 (en) | 1997-07-30 | 2005-09-06 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Loadbreak connector assembly which prevents switching flashover |
KR100395319B1 (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2003-08-21 | 토마스 앤드 베츠 인터내셔널, 인코포레이티드 | Loadbreak Connector Assembly Which Prevents Switching Flashover |
GB2398934A (en) * | 2003-02-25 | 2004-09-01 | Guy James Rollo Symons | Detecting coupling |
US20040198088A1 (en) * | 2003-04-07 | 2004-10-07 | Whiter Shieh | Lamp socket device for twinkle light bulb |
US6857905B2 (en) * | 2003-04-07 | 2005-02-22 | Whiter Shieh | Lamp socket device for twinkle light bulb |
US20050159244A1 (en) * | 2004-01-15 | 2005-07-21 | The Boeing Company | Electrical connector insert and apparatus and associated fabrication method |
US7568933B2 (en) * | 2005-03-10 | 2009-08-04 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Connector for providing waterproof connection and method of examining its connection state |
US20080274635A1 (en) * | 2005-03-10 | 2008-11-06 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Connector for Providing Waterproof Connection and Its Connection State Examining Method |
US20080166913A1 (en) * | 2007-01-08 | 2008-07-10 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | View portal seating indicator |
US7497723B2 (en) * | 2007-06-14 | 2009-03-03 | Nordson Corporation | High-voltage electrical connector with visual indicator |
CN101340039B (en) * | 2007-06-14 | 2013-05-08 | 诺信公司 | High-voltage electrical connector with visual indicator |
US20080311779A1 (en) * | 2007-06-14 | 2008-12-18 | Nordson Corporation | High-voltage electrical connector with visual indicator |
US8651892B2 (en) * | 2012-03-14 | 2014-02-18 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Visual mating detector for electrical connector |
US20140034818A1 (en) * | 2012-06-29 | 2014-02-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Reporting connection failure |
US8979590B2 (en) | 2012-07-26 | 2015-03-17 | Thomas & Betts International, Llc | Cable gland for electrical cable fitting |
US10431933B2 (en) | 2014-04-30 | 2019-10-01 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | High voltage connector assembly |
US9748695B2 (en) | 2014-04-30 | 2017-08-29 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | High voltage connector assembly |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UT AUTOMOTIVE DEARBORN, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UNITED TECHNOLOGIES AUTOMOTIVE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:009314/0303 Effective date: 19980713 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LEAR AUTOMOTIVE DEARBORN, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:UT AUTOMOTIVE DEARBORN, INC.;REEL/FRAME:014172/0756 Effective date: 19990617 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20040917 |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |